Archive for August 7th, 2009

Sometimes cat owners choose to let their cat have one litter before getting them spayed. This is fine if you are confident that you will be able to find good homes for all of her kittens. Sometimes you wind up adopting an outside cat. How can you tell if she is pregnant. Gestation for cats is 65 days. At first, it is difficult to detect whether or not she is pregnant. As time goes on, you’ll be able to notice her stomach on either side getting bigger. Her nipples will be tender to the touch and larger than normal. As the time nears, you can probably feel the kittens moving around inside her. She will also be washing her back end alot. She will start to find a nest. Put her cat bed in a closet or a quiet place. Place a towel of soft, disposable blanket inside her cat bed. Do not let her outside at this point because you won’t be able to help her if you need to. Cats usually give birth without the need for help. Quietly check on her during the process. Make sure that her stomach looks normal (no unusual bulges) after she has finished giving birth. If you notice something odd like a bulge in her stomach, call you vet and ask for advice. This is rare but it can happen. Again, I stress that you find a good home for each kitten.

Most pet owners would agree that cats and dogs require entirely different levels of human commitment. For one thing, dogs require much more attention than cats, and they need to be outdoors to get a regular dose of exercise. It’s unfortunate, then, that a busy owner’s work schedule can come into conflict with these doggie demands. The typical dog can grow bored while sitting in solitary indoor confinement.

On the other hand, the outside world presents dogs with plenty of unique sights and smells. By setting up a dog exercise pen in the backyard you can ensure that your four-legged friend gets plenty of stimulation. Just be sure to stock the pen with plenty of food and water. When you get home, your dog will be slightly less hyper and more willing to practice some patience before insisting on going for a walk.